NHL Power Rankings: Ducks soar, Maple Leafs in free fall

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 30: The shot of Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) deflects off the mask of Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the NHL preseason game between the Nashville Predators and the Tampa Bay Lightning, held on September 30, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 30: The shot of Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) deflects off the mask of Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the NHL preseason game between the Nashville Predators and the Tampa Bay Lightning, held on September 30, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 10: Jack Roslovic
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 10: Jack Roslovic /

5. Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are a young team with a high-powered offense. The leader of the Jets offense is second-year player Patrik Laine. Laine has scored 40 goals so far this season and is still just a teenager. The second overall draft pick from 2016 is tied for the lead league in goals with Alexander Ovechkin. It isn’t all just Laine in Winnipeg. Mark Schieffle is an important center for them, and Jacob Trouba is one of their most important pieces on the blue line. The Jets have all of the pieces needed to win in the playoffs. When the playoffs do start, the Jets will be a matchup nightmare for a team.

The Jets were able to put together a strong week, beating the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. Their lone loss was to the Philadelphia Flyers. Their schedule next week is a tough one. They open against the Washington Capitals, then take on the Nashville Predators. They will also face off against the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars. There are plenty of matchups within the Central Division this week, and the Jets will need to win as many of those games as possible to avoid falling into the wild-card frenzy near the bottom of the standings.